Saying the U.S. mission in Afghanistan is in “serious jeopardy” and more troops are needed to combat an increasingly potent Taliban, the head of the Senate Intelligence Committee stands at odds against an influential Democratic colleague on military matters.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein”s views are more closely aligned with those of key Republicans than members of her own party. Sen. Carl Levin, chairman of Senate Armed Services Committee, urged a more methodical approach that begins with crafting a new, comprehensive strategy for Afghanistan.
“I”m saying at this time, don”t send more combat troops,” said Levin, D-Mich., who wants the emphasis to be on strengthening Afghanistan”s own army and national police forces so they can bear a greater share of the security burden.
But Feinstein, D-Calif., whose post gives her access to sensitive information about the war”s progress, said Sunday that delaying the reinforcements also puts the forces already in Afghanistan at greater risk. She pointed to an Oct. 3 battle in northeastern Afghanistan in which eight U.S. soldiers were killed during an enemy attack on their remote outpost.
“We didn”t have the ability to defend them, and now the base is closing, and effectively we”re retreating away from it,” she said.
